Nri Offers To Set Up Tourism College

The country may soon have a college devoted to travel and tourism-related subjects. NRI Kamal Puri, managing director of Sharjah-based Skyline College, is negotiating with the government to start a college that will offer subjects related to the tourism industry.

According to Puri, who opened an institute in Delhi, Skyline College, some years back, with the open sky policy being followed by the government, there is a need for skilled professionals adept at handling aspects of airlines and other tourism-related activities.

We have proposed, that in association with the government, we can open a college that will impart comprehensive education on travel and hospitality industry, Puri told Business Standard.

 

The proposed college will be set up on the lines of Skyline colleges in places like Sharjah and Dubai, offering both degrees and diplomas of the UK-based Lincolnshire & Humberside University, an institute recognised by the Association of Indian Universities.

The Indian government and we can be partners in the proposed college which can be set up in Delhi, Puri said. The investment envisaged to set up such an institute has been put at about $1 million. Tourism ministry officials confirmed that Puri is holding talks on a travel and hospitality college, funded by both the government and the private company.

The proposed college would offer a one-year certificate course, two-year diploma course and a three-year bachelors degree.

We can also offer an MBA in tourism, Puri said. Skylines Sharjah college is funded by the Sharjah government and the Middle East colleges are accredited/affiliated to Educational Institute of American Hotel & Motel Association and International Air Transport Association, amongst a host of other such international bodies.

According to Rabindra Seth, advisor to the Welcom group of hotels, if the government joins hand with Skyline group to start a college, it would be do good to the travel and tourism industry, as none of the existing institutes, like the Gwalior-based Indian Institute of Travel and Management, offer a comprehensive course on tourism-related subjects.

With the Indian government awakening to the potential of tourism and hotel industry as a forex earner, this sector is likely to see hectic activity in the near future. The new tourism policy, pending for cabinet approval, is likely to be taken up by the government that comes to power after the general elections.